KATERI TEKAKWITHA

Dear brothers and sisters, we celebrate the feast St. Kateri Tekakwitha on July 13^th Sunday at St. Anthony of Padua, Lac du flambeau. St. Kateri was strong in her faith. She vowed virginity against the wishes of her community. She stressed personal convictions and ascetic practices (simple living, begging, fasting, humility, compassion, meditation, patience and prayer) even though priests in the community discouraged her due to her poor health. She exhibits for us a loyalty and certainty to her faith in Jesus. It is said that her final words were, “Jesus, Mary, I love you.” If only I might have that level of commitment to my faith in life and especially at the end of our life. We all have the same opportunities to share our faith with the world. We all have the same Opportunities to stand up against the paganism of this world. We all have the same opportunities to learn our faith, be strengthened and encouraged by each other and our Lord. And we all have the same opportunities to say at the end of our lives, “Jesus, Mary, I love you.” Happy Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha! God Bless!               Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti